The rice crisis : markets, policies and food security / edited by David Dawe.

Based on papers presented at a workshop organized by FAO in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Feb. 9-12, 2009.

"Published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Earthscan."

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Food crises past, present (and future?) : will we ever learn? / C. Peter Timmer and David Dawe -- The world rice market crisis of 2007-2008 / David Dawe and Tom Slayton -- Did speculation affect world rice prices? / C. Peter Timmer -- Trade-related policies to ensure food (rice) security in Asia / Alexander Sarris -- Volatility in rice prices and policy responses in Bangladesh / Mahabub Hossain and Uttam Deb -- Indonesia's rice policy and price stabilization programme : managing domestic prices during the 2008 crisis / Agus Saifullah -- Rice crisis in the Philippines : why did it occur and what are its policy implications? / Arsenio M. Balisacan, Mercedita A. Sombilla and Rowell C. Dikitanan -- West African experience with the world rice crisis, 2007-2008 / Jenny C. Aker ... [and others] -- Rice in Africa : will imports continue to grow? / Ousman Gajigo and Glenn Denning -- The political economy of Thailand's rice price and export policies in 2007-2008 / Nipon Poapongsakorn -- The Vietnamese rice industry during the global food crisis / Pham Hoang Ngan -- Rice production in Cambodia : will exports continue to grow ? / Sushil Pandey and Humnath Bhandari -- How China stabilized grain prices during the global price crisis / Cheng Fang -- Rice policies in India in the context of the global rice price spike / Ashok Gulati and Monica Dutta -- Japan's rice policy and its role in the world rice market : Japan should act as a watchdog / Shoichi Ito -- The 'diplomatic crop', or how th US provided critical leadership in ending the rice crisis / Tom Slayton -- Can the next rice crisis be prevented? / David Dawe.

The recent escalation of world food prices - particularly for cereals - prompted mass public indignation and demonstrations in many countries, from the price of tortilla flour in Mexico to that of rice in the Philippines and pasta in Italy. The crisis has important implications for future government trade and food security policies, as countries re-evaluate their reliance on potentially more volatile world markets to augment domestic supplies of staple foods. This book examines how government policies caused and responded to soaring world prices in the particular case of rice, which is the world's most important source of calories for the poor. Comparable case studies of policy reactions in different countries, principally across Asia, but also including the USA, provide the understanding necessary to evaluate the impact of trade policy on the food security of poor farmers and consumers. They also provide important insights into the concerns of developing countries that are relevant for future international trade negotiations in key agricultural commodities. As a result, more appropriate policies can be put in place to ensure more stable food supplies in the future.